CURRENT AFFAIRS 20-06-2024

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Refugee Day 2024 celebrated on 20 June

• Annual Observance: Celebrated annually on 20 June, World Refugee Day honors the courage and resilience of refugees worldwide.

• The day aims to raise awareness about the challenges faced by refugees and to acknowledge their strength in rebuilding their lives.

• 2024 Theme: This year's theme is “Solidarity with Refugees.”

• The World Health Organization (WHO) has teamed up with UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and other partners to commemorate World Refugee Day 2024.

• Historical Context: First observed on 20 June 2001, the day marks the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention, which established key protections for refugees.

• Initially known as Africa Refugee Day, the UN General Assembly rebranded it as World Refugee Day in December 2000.

• India has not signed the 1951 Refugee Convention or its 1967 Protocol and lacks a national framework for refugee protection.

• By mid-2023, over 110 million people were forcibly displaced worldwide, with children making up 40% of this number, according to UNHCR estimates.

SPORTS

Neeraj Chopra Wins Gold at Paavo Nurmi Games

• Gold Medal Achievement: Neeraj Chopra clinched a gold medal at the Paavo Nurmi Games.

• Pre-Olympics Success: This marks his first gold at the Paavo Nurmi Games, achieved before the 2024 Olympics.

• Winning Throw: He secured the top position with an impressive throw of 85.97 meters on his third attempt, maintaining his lead throughout most of the event.

• Silver Medalist: Toni Keranen earned the silver medal with a personal best throw of 84.19 meters.

• Bronze Position: Oliver Helander took the third spot, achieving a throw of 83.96 meters.

• Fourth Place: Anderson Peters from Grenada finished in fourth place with a throw of 82.58 meters.

• Previous Performance: In 2022, Neeraj Chopra won the silver medal at the Paavo Nurmi Games.

APPOINTMENTS

IAS Ashwani Kumar Appointed MCD Commissioner

• IAS officer Ashwani Kumar has been appointed as the Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), effective immediately.

• He succeeds Gyanesh Bharti in this role.

• Ashwani Kumar is presently serving as Additional Chief Secretary and Divisional Commissioner in the Revenue Department of the Delhi government.

• Amit Yadav, the former chairperson of the New Delhi Municipal Council, has also been transferred following the Home Ministry's directives.

SUMMIT AND CONFERENCES

Conference on "Yoga for Space" Organized by CCRYN and Svyasa

• The Central Council for Research in Yoga & Naturopathy (CCRYN), in partnership with Svyasa, hosted a conference titled "Yoga for Space" in Bengaluru.

• The conference aimed to bring together experts from various disciplines, including astronauts, to discuss the benefits of yoga and its applications in space and society.

• The event included several activities such as the "Yoga with Family" global video contest, YogaTech Challenges for innovative yoga ideas by Indian startups, Yoga Quiz, and Yoga Jingles.

• The conference opened with Dr. Manjunath NK, Vice Chancellor of Svyasa University, welcoming all keynote speakers.

• Yoga Day Theme: The theme for the International Day of Yoga 2024 is "Yoga for Self & Society".

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